Underrepresentation of distal 5′ TNFSF4 alleles in lupus individuals with early age of onset is found in AA (P = 9×10−4, OR = 0.69 (95% CI 0.56–0.86)), European (P = 1.43×10−3, OR = 0.78(0.68–0.91)) and Hispanic (P = 1.43×10−3, OR = 0.57(95% CI 0.41–0.81)) populations. The gene discussed is TNFSF4; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.